This Saturday Chapel were faced with the ultimate season ending scenario - win and we are promoted. Chapel currently sat at the top of the league but would play Chester 3s - the team sat in 2nd place and with games in hand. Despite a number of regulars missing, Chapel were still able to name a good squad with Dave Steer, Jim Hamilton, Jack Cottam, Luke Day and Brad Thompson all returning to action for the boys in blue. Brecon Beacon was also on the bench for his first ever Chapel match.

The game started at a fast pace and the arm wrestle for possession began with Chester edging the stats. When Chapel had the ball they looked dangerous and were staring to exploit some holes in the Chester defence, however, when the home side had the ball Chapel were not at the races defensively and first up tackles were being missed. The Chapel attack was dented when stand in fly half Bob Hamilton suffered a serious knee injury. This put student Jack Cottam straight into the hot seat with just 3 games this season under his belt. Chester maintained the pressure and were able to open the scoring with a neat finish out wide. This was quickly followed by a second, a much more direct score. Coach Mike Cottam rallied the lads and Chapel upped their intensity. Some strong carries by centres Jim Moss and Dave Steer tied in the back line and converted winger Luke Cheetham, playing back row, found himself in more familiar surroundings when he was passed the ball out wide. He scored Chapel’s first try of the game with a powerful finish. Another serious injury soon happened when 1st XV veteran; Mark McEnaney suffered a broken arm. Chapel’s front 5 now contained 4 props and a hooker. Jim Hamilton came straight into the action when the pack took the patient approach and began picking and going close to the Chester line. Both Will Mitchell and Big Jim Hamilton made steady yards before Luke Cheetham got his second of the game. When Chapel couldn't think things could get any worse on the injury front both Cheetham and Jim Moss were lost to cramp and a dislocated shoulder respectively. Half time and the game was evenly poised with just 5 points in it.

The front 5, despite a number playing out of position, were impressive in the scrum. This meant number 8 Dom Moss and scrum half Harry Dyson both saw plenty of ball from the set piece. Chester now with the hill and the wind started to pull away - showing their superior experience. Their 9, 10 and 15 were started to run Chapel ragged, the tired bodies starting to show and gaps opened up. Chester scored a couple of well worked tries to extend their lead and put one foot into the league above. With the game starting to slip away, the boys were defiant and the effort levels were still very high. Scrum half Dyson finished a lovely, individual break away try to remind the home side they were still in a game. Unfortunately, this was the last try of the season for Chapel and the game came to an end at 41-17.

In the end, it was the right result and Chester were the better team on the day - their experience and decision making at key times was far superior to Chapel’s. The young squad can be proud of both the performance and the season they have had. Man of the Match went to young hooker Sam Cook who optimised the effort shown by the young squad.

Huge thanks to Chester and their captain for great hospitality.